Beware of Mr. Baker
Quick review of Jay Bulger’s Beware of Mr. Baker (2012), the engaging doc on former Cream drummer Ginger Baker which just completed its first run at the Bloor Cinema.
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Steel Magnolias (1989) drips onto Blu
New review of an old-ish classic, the 1989 weepie Steel Magnolias, which defied stiff critics and enjoyed a healthy theatrical run. Twilight Time’s new Blu-ray looks swell, and includes George Delerue’s lovely score as an isolated track.
CanCon 101 and a Career Nadir: John Huston’s Phobia (1980)
Yes, another installment of CanCon 101, featuring John Huston’s much-maligned tax shelter film Phobia (1980), shot in Toronto, and available nowhere. Also: short Editor’s Blog with nods to EOne’s recent purchase of Alliance Films, and the Canadian film channel Starlight.
Atli Örvarsson’s Hansel & Gretel + Liquid Puppetry
Just uploaded is a soundtrack review of Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, the latest film by Dead Snow director Tommy Wirkola, which opens January 25. Also up: a podcast interview with Hansel and Gretel composer Atli Örvarsson, and an update on my current short-short film (er, editing exercise), Liquid Puppetry, filmed in Newvicon-o-vision-o-rama, with teasing frame grabs.
Canada’s Top 10, Doc Soup, and CanCon 101: Death Ship (1980)
Quick tally of notable screenings in T.O., including The Bloor’s Doc Soup: Portrait of Wally (with director Q&A) + Cinema Politica: Doctors of the Dark Side (with guest Q&A), and Canada’s Top 10 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Speaking of Canadian cinema heritage (ahem): I’ve uploaded a lengthy review of Alvin Rakoff’s Death Ship (1980), recently released in a crisp Blu-ray special edition by Scorpion Releasing, which somewhat replaces the 2007 Region 2 DVD from Nucleus Films.
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